Milford 4, East Side 3: Express to Chicopee

Thursday

Jul 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 31, 2008 at 1:37 AM

After Milford took Game 1 of its best-of-three series in dramatic fashion, it was interesting to see how Post 59 and East Side Post 201 would come out for Game 2 last night at Fino Field. But any ill effects Post 201 were feeling after letting a seven-run lead disappear in the ninth inning were lost amid a brilliant performance from Milford pitcher Jack Murray.

Eric Ramsley/Daily News correspondent

After Milford took Game 1 of its best-of-three series in dramatic fashion, it was interesting to see how Post 59 and East Side Post 201 would come out for Game 2 last night at Fino Field.

But any ill effects Post 201 were feeling after letting a seven-run lead disappear in the ninth inning were lost amid a brilliant performance from Milford pitcher Jack Murray.

Murray, only 16 years old, struck out 12 East Side batters in a 113-pitch complete game, and Milford held on to down Post 201, 4-3, and move on to the state tournament for the second year in a row by taking the series 2-0.

"You can't help but be impressed," said Milford manager Rich Piergustavo of Murray. "Boy, was he impressive. For a young kid in that atmosphere to go out and pitch the way he did was pretty special.

"He had every pitch going," he continued. "And coming off a rough outing against West Boylston (an 8-3 loss in the second round of the Zone 4 tournament), to do what he did tonight shows a lot of maturity, a lot of heart - he's just a special pitcher."

Murray was perfect through the first three innings, striking out the first four batters he faced and not yielding a hit until the fifth inning.

It was in the fifth that East Side got to Murray, with an error, a walk and Steve Sargent's infield single loading the bases with none out. Roberto DeLosSantos singled in Frank Flynn to make it 1-0, then Dan Conrad scored when Ryan Griffin hit into a 6-4-3 double play.

Shawn Frigon singled in Sargent to make it 3-0 East Side before Matt Ball's fly to left ended the inning.

Milford wasted no time answering back. Dan Muscatello led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and Peter Ferrelli walked, then Matt Collins (3-for-5, 2 RBI, run) belted a two-run triple to deep left to cut it to 3-2.

Bryant Johnson (2-for-4, RBI) followed with a double down the third base line, scoring Collins to tie the game. Mike Preite was intentionally walked, and the move almost panned out for Post 201 when Matt White hit a double-play ball to second.

But Ball's throw to Frigon went high into left field, allowing Johnson to come around from second and give Milford the lead.

"We were fired up," Collins said after Milford improved to 26-2. "We had had them on the ropes a little bit in the beginning, and we knew that Jack was doing such a good job and we weren't doing anything to help him, so it was important that we picked it up, didn't let the lead get too out of control."

Murray allowed only one baserunner the rest of the way, when Conrad led off the seventh with a bunt single. But Murray put the next three batters away with just six pitches and pitched 1-2-3 eighth and ninth innings.

While the lefty had his whole repertoire of pitches working, he did the most damage with a looping curveball that East Side had trouble with all night.

"You know, we had a great game tonight," said Murray. "The offense really helped us out. It was a good job putting up four runs. I could command that curveball better tonight than I have before and that's always good."

This is the fourth time Post 59 has reached the state tournament since 2000, and the eighth in Piergustavo's 14 seasons at the helm. This year's tournament begins next Tuesday at Szot Park in Chicopee. Milford plays its first game at 4:30 p.m. against an unknown opponent.

"It feels outstanding (to get back to states)," Piergustavo said. "It feels good. It's a lot of fun and we're going to give it a shot, that's for sure. We need some time."

Milford is also happy to have six days to rest up before the state tournament begins.

"I'm a little tired," Collins said. "My legs are a little tired, legs could use a couple days. But I want to get back out here, want to keep playing. I just love playing baseball with these guys, playing with them every day."

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